Trunk-fastener



(No Model.) V

F. J. EIOHBAUER.

TRUNK PASTENBR. No. 532,042. Patented Jan. 8,1895.

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FREDERICK J. EICI-IBAUER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TRUNK-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,042, dated January8, 1895.

Application filed December 19,1892. Serial No. 455,651- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. Eton- BAUER, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTrunk-Latches, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement andcombination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafterdescribed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved latch asin use. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the hook member. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of the hook member. Fig. i is a vertical, central longitudinalsection through the device as shown in Fig. 1. Fig.

-is-a detached, perspective view of the plate of the hook member. Fig. 6is a detached perspective view of the spring box.

The latch comprises two members, the hook member which is ordinarilyattached to the body of the trunk and the locking plate attached to thelower edge of the lid, in which the hook is adapted to engage.

The hook member consists of a U shaped plate A shown detached in Fig. 5,and the spring box B. The spring box is secured to the plate by havingportions at one end ongaging beneath the plate and portions of the otherend extending over the plate and secured to the trunk, the plate alsobeing secured to the trunk. I also preferably provide means for securingthe overlapping portions of the two parts together by riveting.

The spring box is provided with cars a on opposite sides and withflanges b at the upper end, beside said ears. These ears are adapted toengage into notches or reoessss c in the under side of the plate A,while the flange Z) engages in corresponding grooves (Z. The lower endof the spring box engages over the lower end plate 6 and is providedwith a flat bearing piece f, suitably apertured to receive a screw orother securing device to fasten it to the trunk, as shown at g.

The plate A is provided with ears h at its forward end apertured at 2'.The spring box has preferably formed integral therewith a pin is adaptedto pass through an aperture Z in the lower end of the plate A, the endof which may be riveted over to secure the two parts together. Beforethese parts are socured together, the cross-bar or shaft C of the hookedbail D is engaged in the notches E formed in the sides of the springplate, passing across the flat spring F placed within the spring box, asplainly shown in Fig. 4. The

two parts of the hook member are then se cured together as shown. Thebail is provided at its forward end with the hook Gand the upturned lipH. The upper faces of this lip and of the hook G are correspondinglybeveled, and the locking plate K is provided with a downwardlyprojecting tongue K also beveled at its lower end, so that when the twoparts come together the book will be raised by the striking together ofthese beveled portions until it reaches the eye J in the locking plate,when the spring will cause it to engage therein.

It will be observed that the spring presses centrally upon the shaft 0,which shaft will thus be pressed down to the lower end of the notches E.The bail extends beyond the shaft forming lugs I which bear against theplate A, thereby lifting the shaft upward against the spring andcompressing the same.

The locking plate is provided with a guard flange M above the eye J soas to prevent liability of damage to the book from a downward glancingblow across the front when the two parts are locked together, as shownin Fig. l.

Vvhat I claim as my invention is In a trunk latch, the combination witha locking plate having a beveled lower edge, of a hook member consistingof a base plate formed with an open central portion and indentations inits sides, a spring-box having outwardly extending lugs at its edgefitting in the indentations and journal grooves formed in the edgesthereof, fastening means for the lower ends of the box and base, aspring in the box and a hooked bail having a shaft at its lower endjournaled in the bearings and passing in the rear of the spring, abeveled hook on the upper end and projections on the lower end extendingbelow the shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK J. EICHBAUER.

Witnesses:

M. B. ODoennnrr, N. L. Lnvnor.

